When I was a kid, I loved playing in the snow for hours, and then coming inside and having hot chocolate. It's no surprise that most hot chocolate is loaded with sugar and other junk (a Starbucks small hot chocolate has 33 grams of sugar - that's more sugar than an adult woman wants to consume in a whole day!), but it might surprise you just how easy it is to make a super delicious and super healthy version.

In the cold months, this is one of my go-to night time desserts. I used raw cacao, considered a super-food for it's high nutritient and antioxidant profile. Cacao also contains high levels of magnesium, the "calm mineral," so it's great for anyone dealing with stress or anxiety and also makes it a good choice for night time. (If you're super sensitive to caffeine, you might not want this before bed however.) I've also added ashwagandha, an ayurvedic and adaptogenic herb that nourishes your adrenal glands, helps your body deal with stress and fatigue, is good for memory and focus, and even stabilizes blood sugar. You can also add maca powder, another adaptogen, to really up the adrenal-boosting properties, and collagen for a nourishing protein boost. Like all my recipes, it's naturally low-glycemic and is paleo-friendly. The best part though is it whips up in the time it takes to heat up a cup of your milk on the stove, and is rich, chocolately, and just goooood. I've been making it every night, and will continue to do so until I get tired of it.

Ingredients (serves 1)

2 TB cacao or cocoa powder

1 tsp ashwagandha powder

1 tsp maca powder (optional)

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch nutmeg (freshly grated or dried)

pinch sea salt

1 C milk of choice; I like Califia Farms Toasted Coconut Almond

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1-2 tsp honey or maple syrup

No sugar version: 1-2 tsp monk fruit sweetener, or stevia to taste

1 - 2 TB collagen powder (optional)

Method

Heat the milk on the stove top. Blend all other ingredients together in a small bowl; whisk into the warmed milk until completely blended (no lumps please). Sip and enjoy!